Salah and Marmoush Expected to Leave for Africa Cup of Nations Preparation After December 14
Egypt’s national football team, managed by Coach Hossam Hassan, has begun preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The seven-time champions are determined to claim Africa’s top football honor, a title they have not won in 15 years.
The tournament will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with 24 participating teams divided into 6 groups. Egypt is in Group B alongside South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. To prepare, the Egyptian Football Association has confirmed a friendly match against Nigeria at Cairo International Stadium on December 14.
Though Hassan hopes all his players, especially Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Mostafa Marmoush, will feature in the Nigeria game, insiders say the two key players may struggle to join the national team’s training camp beforehand. Salah must play in Liverpool’s Premier League match against Brighton on December 13, while Marmoush will line up for Manchester City against Crystal Palace on December 14.
Under regulations, Egypt has the right to call up players 14 days before the tournament kicks off (i.e., December 7). However, the two stars are expected to leave for national team duty only after their respective club matches. Notably, Egypt will also take part in a friendly tournament in the UAE in November, facing teams like Cape Verde, Iran, and Uzbekistan on November 14.
